WES GILBERTSON, QMI Agency

Now, the Los Angeles Kings have an opportunity to run the San Jose Sharks out of the series and out of Stanley Cup contention, too.

The Kings tossed enough hits they could make a case for a spot on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and centre Anze Kopitar ensured his first goal of the series was a biggie as the reigning NHL champions pushed the Sharks to the brink of elimination with Thursday's hard-fought 3-0 victory at the Staples Center.

“I think it's fair to say this is probably our best effort in the playoffs, most consistent effort in the playoffs,” Kopitar said.

Slava Voynov and Jeff Carter also scored for the Kings, who stretched their home winning streak to 13 consecutive triumphs by keying on the physical, in-your-face formula that was so successful last spring.

The Sharks, who have rattled off six straight wins at HP Pavilion, will need to keep that streak alive to send this Western Conference semifinal to a winner-take-all seventh game.

For the Sharks, who now trail 3-2 in the series, the best news is there's a two-day break before Sunday's Game 6 in San Jose.